Workers hang a poster of outgoing Prime Minister Saad Hariri with Arabic words that read, "We are all Saad," on a seaside street in Beirut, Lebanon, Thursday, Nov. 9, 2017. Hezbollah has called on Saudi Arabia to stay out of Lebanese affairs, saying the resignation of Prime Minister Saad Hariri, announced from Riyadh over the weekend, "has raised many questions." (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)

The Latest: Iran's FM says Saudi creating regional unrest

Nov. 11, 2017

BEIRUT (AP) — The Latest on developments in Lebanon (all times local):

5:25 p.m.

Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman says Saudi Arabia is aiming to create unrest in Lebanon after doing so in the Gulf region and Yemen.

Bahram Qasemi said in comments carried by state news agency IRNA that the kingdom is trying to destabilize the region.

Saudi Arabia blames Tehran for backing militant groups throughout the Middle East and has recently vowed to fight them on top of them Lebanon's Hezbollah group.

His comments on Saturday came amid a crisis in Lebanon triggered by Prime Minister Saad Hariri's resignation in the Saudi capital of Riyadh last week.

Qasemi said Riyadh is "after creating unrest in Lebanon."

Iran and Saudi Arabia are fighting proxy wars in the region from Syria to Yemen. Iran is a predominantly Shiite nation while Saudi Arabia is a Sunni powerhouse.

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3:05 p.m.

Lebanon's President Michel Aoun has called on Saudi Arabia to clarify why Prime Minister Saad Hariri hasn't returned home since announcing his resignation in the kingdom last week.

A political crisis has gripped Lebanon and shattered the relative peace maintained by its coalition government since Hariri's announcement Nov. 4 from the Saudi capital that he was resigning.

Lebanese officials have insisted on the return home of Hariri from Saudi Arabia amid rumors he is being held against his will.

In a statement released by his office, Aoun called on Saudi Arabia "that is linked to us through deep brotherly and friendly relations to clarify the reasons that are preventing" Hariri from returning to Lebanon.

Aoun said that a Marathon planned in Beirut on Sunday in which tens of thousands will participate should be "a national sports demonstration for solidarity with prime minister Hariri and his return to his country."

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2:35 p.m.

The United States and France have expressed their support for Lebanon's sovereignty and stability amid heightening tensions between Beirut and Saudi Arabia.

A political crisis has gripped Lebanon and shattered the relative peace maintained by its coalition government since Prime Minister Saad Hariri's stunning announcement Nov. 4 from the Saudi capital that he was resigning.

Lebanese officials have insisted on the return home of Hariri from Saudi Arabia amid rumors he is being held against his will.

White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said in a statement Saturday that Washington calls upon "all states and parties to respect Lebanon's sovereignty, independence, and constitutional processes."

Lebanon's state-run National News Agency reported Saturday that French President Emmanuel Macron called his Lebanese counterpart expressing France's commitment to Lebanon's "unity, sovereignty and independence."